Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-44226 on 25 March 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Long duration electricity storage, such as pumped hydro storage, plays a vital role in providing flexibility services to the grid and ensuring a resilient electricity system.

There is currently 0.74 GW of pumped hydro storage operational in Scotland, with 4.79 GW awaiting construction and 4.20 GW awaiting a planning decision. It is not possible for the Scottish Government to estimate when projects will become operational as these are commercial decisions.

We have co-commissioned the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to develop a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan for Great Britain to provide greater clarity on the shape of our future energy system.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-44226 on 25 March 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The Scottish Government maintains regular contact with the UK Government regarding energy matters, including issues of supply. These engagements forma critical part of our approach to issues of resilience.

The merits of any proposal, both onshore and offshore, are considered on a case-by-case basis and in reaching their decision, the decision maker must determine applications in accordance with legislative requirements, relevant policies and representations from consultees and members of the public.

Environmental Impact Assessment requirements for marine developments are set out in the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (the Regulations). The Regulations define EIA projects as works which are either schedule 1 works or schedule 2 works likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as their nature, size or location.

Where a proposal is identified as falling under Schedule 2, a company may request a screening opinion from the Scottish Ministers. It is for the Scottish Ministers to determine whether or not an application for the proposed works must be supported by an environmental impact assessment report. This decision is based on the likelihood of significant effects on the environment.

As part of the record funding package for Local Government, in 2026-27, Highland Council will receive £665.1 million to fund local services which equates to an extra £32.3 million or an additional 5.1% compared to 2025-26.

The vast majority of funding available to councils is provided by means of a block grant from the Scottish Government with the Scottish Budget also providing Councils with full discretion over decisions on Council Tax. It is then the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, including on the maintenance of roads and bridges, on the basis of local needs and priorities.

The Permanent Secretary is responsible for the Scottish Government’s operational arrangements, including its hybrid working policy.

Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working are expected to aim for working 40% of their contracted hours in person, either at a Scottish Government workplace or another agreed location, such as attending Parliament or working with stakeholders. This can include meetings, collaboration, training, fieldwork, or official travel, and may vary where a reasonable adjustment or agreed exemption applies.

Attendance is normally considered over a four-week period, and line managers monitor this to ensure arrangements meet business needs and align with the policy.

The Scottish Government’s Service Renewal Framework and Public Service Reform Strategy set out long-term transformation to support sustainability.

This includes restructuring national NHS Boards by merging NES and NSS into Public Services Delivery Scotland, streamlining once-for-Scotland support and governance.

Health Boards in the East and West are required through sub-national arrangements to develop joint plans that improve equity and access across their populations.

We are strengthening integration authorities and progressing Single Authority Model development with three local partners to explore alternative governance approaches.

Any further structural changes will be for an incoming administration to determine.

The Scottish Budget provides a further real-terms increase in the Local Government Settlement, delivering record funding of £15.7 billion, including a quarter of a billion pounds of unrestricted General Revenue Grant.

Local authorities have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads and associated infrastructure in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.

The vast majority of funding available to councils is provided by means of a block grant from the Scottish Government with the Scottish Budget also providing Councils with full discretion over decisions on Council Tax. It is then the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, including on the maintenance of roads and bridges, on the basis of local needs and priorities.